Tammy Marshall-Weldon

I grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Our family always had pets and I was drawn to animals at an early age. My first dog was a gift when I was 5 years old. By the time I was 10 years old, I was training dogs for the family.

When I graduated from high school, I had a scholarship and went to Blue Ridge Community College in their Veterinary Technology Program where I earned my associate's degree in Applied Science. When I passed the state boards, I became a Licensed Veterinary Technician. After graduating from BRCC, I was employed at Georgetown Equine Hospital for a year. I had always loved horses, and this employment opportunity gave me the chance to work at the very first surgical suite for horses in Virginia.

My next employment was at Charlottesville Animal Hospital in 1982 which lasted for 15 years. It was here that I was mentored by Dr. Atkinson regarding how an employer treats and develops employees. His role in my life was such a blessing. Just before I came to Charlottesville Animal Hospital, I got my first Doberman puppy. She was a rescue that had parvovirus and was going to be put down. Because several Veterinary Technicians wanted her to have a chance, I became the owner of Meagan. 

Meagan needed obedience classes. I took her to classes and eventually titled her in AKC for her CD (Companion Dog) and then her CDX (Companion Dog Excellent). My instructor was from Sweden and she introduced me to the sport of Schutzhund. Schutzhund is German for Protection Dog. By then I had my second Doberman Porsche, which I also titled CD and CDX. Along with receiving her DPCA Working Aptitude Certificate, we earned the German Companion Dog title, Begleithund.

I had been researching the health issues of Dobermans. Because I wanted a breeding program that incorporated longevity with working ability, I imported a female that I named Kajsa. Kajsa was the niece of IDC.DV.WELT.Siger Baron Bryan vom Harro'sberg SchH3, IPO3, FH, ZTP 1A. Bryan was one of the most successful show dogs in Doberman history.

Kajsa was very challenging to train and she taught me a lot. I joined a Schutzhund club and started meeting other breeders of working sport Dobermans. My involvement in the sport of Schutzhund took me to competitions up and down the East Coast. 

In 1991 I purchased Alexander von Haus Jagen, the Doberman that would change my life. While he was growing up and learning the basics of Schutzhund, I bred Kajsa to a Doberman from Teradell bloodlines. They were known for longevity and working ability on the West Coast.

My Doberman kennel name is Swift Run Dobermans and I have been producing litters since 1992. I chose the name Swift Run because that location has significant meaning in the area of Blue Ridge Mountains where I grew up and raised my first 7 litters.

Alexander von Haus Jagen Sch3, IPO3, FH, ZTP SG1A, WAC, AD, and CGC took me all over the country, and around the world, and was responsible for my move to Kentucky in 1997. He taught me that my true passion and gift was training dogs.

I have been training dogs and have owned Masters Boarding Kennels since 1997. For those people that were clients during the first 5 years, you met Alex in my obedience classes or at the kennel. He was the 1998 UDC CHampion, he sired the 1999 UDC Champion, and he and I were on the World Team in Luxembourg in 1996 and in Germany in 1998. He lived to be almost 15 years old.

Since my move to Bowling Green in 1997, I have been blessed to have some of the greatest clients. What a remarkable community that I get to call home.